8-time champ Nadal, Djokovic in French final

PARIS -- This is what Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic wanted. It's what they expected. And now they'll meet in a French Open final with so much at stake for both.

Nadal is seeking championship No. 9 at Roland Garros, and his 14th major title overall. Djokovic is hoping to finally conquer the French Open and complete a career Grand Slam. Fittingly, whoever wins the rivals' 42nd head-to-head meeting Sunday will be ranked No. 1 on Monday; the runner-up will be No. 2.

"He has the motivation to win Roland Garros for the first time, for sure. But at the same time, he has the pressure to win for the first time," Nadal said. "I have the pressure that I want to win — and the motivation that I want to win — the ninth."

In Friday's semifinals, the No. 1-seeded Nadal was at his imperious, and nearly immaculate, best in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory over Wimbledon champion Andy Murray that lasted all of 100 minutes. Nadal never faced a break point, converted all six he earned, and whipped his uppercut of a forehand as only he can.

Toni Nadal, Rafael's uncle and coach, called the match "one of the best that he has ever played here."

That's sure saying something. Toni's nephew is 65-1 at the clay-court tournament and carries a 34-match winning streak into the final.

The thick, gray clouds and chill that became a staple these two weeks gave way to sunshine and warmth Friday, and Nadal reveled in it.

"For me, is much better when the weather is like today," he said. "My ball creates more topspin. The ball goes quicker in the air, and with my forehand I am able to create more with less."

All in all, Nadal made Murray look rather lost.

"You want to be competitive. You want to make it hard for him," Murray said. "I wasn't able to do that."

The No. 2-seeded Djokovic's semifinal was only slightly less perfunctory, a 6-3, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 victory over 18th-seeded Ernests Gulbis of Latvia that came first Friday, when the temperature hit 82 degrees (28 Celsius).

Wrapping a cold towel around his neck during changeovers, Djokovic was brilliant through two sets, then faltered in the third, showing frustration by spiking a racket so hard he mangled it.